Hey New Mom! 7 Simple Ways to Keep Your Energy Up

If that venti Americano never seems to get the job done, read on. These tips work just as well as that full night's sleep you're not going to get any time soon

Don't be a Mom Zombie Parents get nearly an hour less sleep a day than they did 40 years ago. What's zapping our zzz's? For mothers of older kids, it's marathon work days that bleed into endless nights of afterschool activities, cooking, cleaning, and homework help. Got a newborn at home? You have the world's cutest sleep thief. But cutting-edge science shows that sleep is critical to our ability to stay focused, learn new things, stay fit, and more, says Koff. "Sleep functions like a battery recharger for our bodies and minds."

Mom energy advice: Aim to get around nine hours of snooze-time a night. Stop drinking caffeine eight hours before hitting the sack and 30 minutes pre-bedtime, power off your cell phone, laptop, and TV. The light can disrupt your quality of sleep, and watching "Law & Order: SVU" or posting Facebook pics will amp you up when you need to wind down.

I really like this article and I am sure it will be one that I come back to. So many times as a mom I will take a 5 hour energy shot and then question myself on why I feel drained. The answer is that I need fuel all day! Thank you for the reminder!